AMA calls on Administration to use every lever in COVID-19 fight

CHICAGO — As the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic grows and critical shortages in test kits and personal protective equipment (PPE) remain unaddressed, the American Medical Association (AMA) continues to press the Administration to leverage every tool at its disposal, including fully employing production and distribution mechanisms of the Defense Production Act. While the President signed an Executive Order earlier in the week that would allow him to exercise this authority, it is unclear to what degree that authority is being utilized.

Shortages of this critical PPE are posing a significant risk for our ability to treat COVID-19 patients and contain the spread of this pandemic. Shortages continue to pose serious risks to the health and safety of our healthcare workforce, as well as the patients they treat.